John PERRY

PERRY, John Kingsley John Kingsley “King” Perry of Calgary passed away at the Foothills Hospital on Thursday, July 22, 2004 at the age of 89 years. King was born on November 16, 1914 on the farm at Balzac, the eldest son of pioneers, Clem and Lucy Perry. His farming background saw him take a job as a grain buyer in Carstairs from 1938 to 1941 where he met his wife, Beatrice Wight. In 1941 he joined the RCAF and graduated as a pilot, #10 SFTS Dauphin, Manitoba and was immediately posted overseas. He returned as a staff pilot to Rivers, Manitoba in 1942, and was later posted to Edmonton. He flew in Northern Canada under the late “Wop” May in Search and Rescue with Canadian Airways, which sparked his lifelong love for the Norseman Aircraft. In 1945 he joined the management of Massey Ferguson and thereafter started his own farm implements dealership in Blackie and subsequently in Red Deer. King was an active community member and his service included, being past President of the Chambers of Commerce in Blackie and in Red Deer; a Red Deer Airport Commissioner for six years; past President of 703 Wing Red Deer RCAF Association; a life Member of the Red Deer Elks and of the Red Deer Lodge #85 I.O.O.F. He was married to Lois Rosenberger in 1977. Upon moving to Calgary he became a volunteer at the Aero Space Museum Association and was an active member of the Air Crew Association of Calgary. In his retirement King travelled extensively and made such trips as his round-the-world trip by freighter. During one of his cruises, he discovered his talent for painting. King lived a long and active life. He was dedicated to his family, his church, and he felt it was important to keep in touch and maintain his friendship with the many people he met over the years. One particularly close friend was Andy Anderson, whom he met in 1941 at the RCAF Pilot School and he maintained that friendship until Andy’s passing just over a month ago. King had the ability to recall and relate stories of his past experiences and those of others in a way that could hold your attention for hours. King will be lovingly remembered by his son, Bill Perry and his wife Gay (nee Light) of Salt Springs Island formerly of Sylvan Lake, his grandson Craig (Lisette) Allan of Calgary, his four great-grandchildren; Brendan and Thea Allan, Beau Gaebel, and Paris James; his brother, Leighton (Mary) Perry of Calgary and sister-in-law Dorothy Perry of Balzac; his nieces and nephews, Janet (Nick) Warner of Dogpound, Marilee Minhinnet of Balzac, Neil (Lori) Perry of Balzac, Phil (Starr) Perry of Newport Beach, Ca, Sherree (Joe) Sadee of Sherwood Park, Bryan (Jeanne) Hergert of Leduc, Barry (Terry) Brookman of Forestburg and Doug Ardiel of Edmonton; his three step-daughters, Susan Breckenridge of Edmonton, Wendy (Allan) Sharp of Calgary, Beth (Dale) Massie of Calgary; four step-grandchildren; Kim Brown, Shannon Massie, Lisa Dillabaugh, Brent Dillabaugh,. King was predeceased by his two loving wives; Beatrice in 1961 (who was the mother of Bill and Brenda) and Lois in 1995, his sister, Brenda Perry in 1912, his daughter, Brenda Allan in 1984, his brother, Redvers Perry in 2003, and his granddaughter, Lisa Allan in 2003. A private family service will be held at St. Clements Anglican Church in Balzac, with Reverend Eric Haffenden officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Balzac Hall, (Balzac, Alberta) on Thursday, July 29, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. Interment will take place at the Red Deer Cemetery in Red Deer on Friday, July 30, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial Tributes may be made directly to the Aero Space Museum Association (4629 McCall Way NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 8A5) in loving memory of J. Kingsley Perry. King and his family wish to express their love and appreciation for the wonderful homecare King received from Beth Connochie over the past 10 years. They would also like to thank Dr. Chris Gorrie and his Staff for their excellent care, compassion and friendship to King throughout the years. Condolences can be emailed to condolences@reddeerfuneralhome.com and will be forwarded directly to the family.